01Marine Insight2026-10-16
Taiwan Coast Guard Receives First V-BAT Drones For Maritime Surveillance And Coastal Patrols (opens in a new tab)
The Taiwan Coast Guard Administration (CGA) received its first V-BAT drones from Shield AI, with twelve units to be delivered by late 2026. These vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) drones will enhance maritime surveillance, coastal patrols, and law enforcement by providing persistent Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) without requiring runways. Shield AI and local partner AIDC will train CGA operators and establish a support system, while the drones’ 12+ hour endurance and electronic warfare resilience improve operational flexibility. The V-BATs were selected for their cost efficiency and ability to detect illegal activity in the Taiwan Strait.